TRIBAL COURT & LAW ENFORCEMENT INSTITUTE
A Joint Initiative of Indigenous Governance Consultants LLC and Native Peacekeeper Consulting Group LLC
BENCH & BADGE: EFFECTIVE JUSTICE SYSTEM FRAMEWORK
The Tribal Court & Law Enforcement Institute (TCLEI) is a joint initiative of Indigenous Governance Consultants LLC (IGC) and Native Peacekeeper Consulting Group LLC (NPKCG). TCLEI brings together experienced Tribal judges, court professionals, law enforcement leaders, and justice practitioners to provide practical, culturally grounded training designed specifically for Tribal justice systems.
Through its flagship Bench & Badge program, TCLEI strengthens professional understanding, communication, accountability, leadership, and justice system performance while respecting judicial independence and the distinct governmental responsibilities of Tribal courts and Tribal law enforcement.
COURSE DETAILS
Dates: February 9–11, 2027 (three days)
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM daily
Location: Bird Clan Room, 2nd Floor, 6363 Taft Street, Hollywood, FL 33024
Format: In-person only. All participants learn together in one room; there are no separate court and law enforcement tracks.
Class size: Limited to 30 participants, with a waitlist of 10.
TUITION & DISCOUNT CODES
Tuition: $995 per participant. Two discount codes are entered in the Discount Coupon box at checkout and are subtracted from the $995:
EARLYBIRD — $100 off ($895) for registrations completed by December 15, 2026. Anyone may use this code; it stops working after December 15.
Agency code — $145 off ($850 per participant) when three or more register from the same Tribe, court, or agency. Email [email protected] with your participants’ names and we will send your agency code the same business day; each participant registers individually and enters it at checkout. One code per registration.
Paying by check, purchase order, or ACH? Choose that payment source at checkout and click PAY LATER; we will invoice your agency at the applicable rate. A 3.3% processing fee applies to card payments only.
► CLICK HERE TO EXPAND: Course Highlights, Framework, Who Should Attend, About the Institute & Partners, FAQ, Tuition, and Policies
HIGHLIGHTS
Training developed by professionals who understand both sides of the Tribal justice system.
Bench & Badge combines firsthand Tribal court and law enforcement experience in a learning environment focused on practical application and system improvement.
Bench and Badge Perspectives
Training incorporates firsthand experience from Tribal judges, court administrators, law enforcement and public safety leaders, and other justice professionals.
Designed for Tribal Justice Systems
The curriculum addresses the governmental, jurisdictional, cultural, and operational realities of Tribal Nations rather than adapting a state or local justice model to a Tribal setting.
Role Clarity & Judicial Independence
Participants strengthen their understanding of the distinct responsibilities of courts, law enforcement, and justice partners while reinforcing judicial independence, professional boundaries, due process, and accountability.
Practical, Scenario-Based Learning
Training uses realistic scenarios, case studies, facilitated discussions, cross-role exercises, and problem-solving activities to connect course content to day-to-day justice system operations.
Professionalism, Ethics & Accountability
Courses address professional standards, judicial and law enforcement ethics, leadership, report writing, testimony, evidence, courtroom practices, communication, and public trust.
Criminal & Civil Justice Systems
Bench & Badge recognizes that Tribal courts and law enforcement interact across criminal and civil matters, including protection orders, family and juvenile matters, civil enforcement, service of process, courtroom safety, and other Tribal court proceedings.
Restorative & Community-Centered Approaches
Restorative justice, trauma-informed practices, Healing to Wellness approaches, community policing, cultural responsiveness, and community wellness are integrated throughout the framework.
Focused on System Improvement
Participants are encouraged to identify communication gaps, operational challenges, policy needs, leadership opportunities, and practical strategies for strengthening their Tribal justice systems.
WHAT YOU'LL GET
Bench & Badge is designed to provide more than a traditional training experience. Participants learn from professionals who have worked within Tribal justice systems and understand the practical realities facing courts, law enforcement agencies, and their justice partners.
Participants can expect:
Practitioner-Led Instruction
Training led by experienced Tribal judges, court professionals, law enforcement and public safety leaders, and Tribal justice practitioners.
Structured, Relevant Curriculum
Courses include clearly defined learning objectives, professionally developed materials, facilitated discussions, and practical exercises focused on Tribal justice.
Cross-Role Learning
Participants gain greater insight into the responsibilities, challenges, and professional expectations of other justice system roles while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and respect for judicial independence.
Real-World Application
Participants work through scenarios, case-flow exercises, communication challenges, and practical situations based on the realities of Tribal justice systems.
Practical Resources
Participants receive course materials and resources designed to support continued learning and application following the training.
Access to Experienced Tribal Justice Professionals
Courses provide opportunities for questions, facilitated discussion, shared problem-solving, and learning directly from professionals with substantial experience in Tribal courts, law enforcement, governance, and public safety.
Certificate of Completion
Participants who satisfy applicable attendance requirements receive a certificate of completion documenting their participation and training hours.
A System-Improvement Focus
Training helps participants identify practical strategies for strengthening professionalism, communication, accountability, public safety, due process, and overall justice system functioning.
THE BENCH & BADGE FRAMEWORK
Bench & Badge is organized around TCLEI's Effective Justice System Framework, which recognizes six interconnected components of strong and sustainable Tribal justice systems.
1. Shared Understanding & Role Clarity
Participants develop a clearer understanding of the distinct roles and responsibilities of Tribal courts, Tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, defenders, court personnel, and other justice partners.
Training reinforces the judiciary's independent role while helping participants understand how each part of the system contributes to due process, fairness, accountability, public safety, and community wellness.
2. Professional Standards & Accountability
This area focuses on ethics, professionalism, accountability, and legal integrity across Tribal justice systems.
Topics may include judicial expectations for law enforcement reports, testimony and evidence; law enforcement operational realities; judicial and law enforcement ethics; courtroom professionalism; due process; fairness; professional conduct; and public trust.
3. Communication, Coordination & Leadership
Participants examine strategies for improving professional communication and coordination while respecting independent governmental roles and professional boundaries.
Training also builds leadership capacity in areas such as ethical leadership, accountability, conflict resolution, decision-making, professionalism, and community trust.
4. Justice System Operations & Community Response
Training examines how cases and people move through the justice system from field response or civil petition through court resolution.
Topics may include courtroom operations and safety, crisis response, de-escalation, domestic violence, mental health and substance-use issues, civil enforcement, protection orders, family and juvenile matters, service of process, and other situations requiring interaction among courts, law enforcement, and justice partners.
5. Restorative Justice, Healing & Community Wellness
Bench & Badge incorporates restorative justice principles, Healing to Wellness approaches, diversion, trauma-informed practices, culturally grounded responses, and community-centered public safety strategies.
Participants consider how accountability, public safety, due process, healing, culture, and community wellness can be incorporated into effective Tribal justice responses.
6. Continuous Improvement & System Development
Strong justice systems require ongoing evaluation and development.
Participants are introduced to strategies such as After Action Reviews, system assessment, leadership development, implementation planning, policy and procedure improvement, and other approaches that support sustainable justice system improvement.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Bench & Badge is designed for professionals whose work contributes to Tribal justice, public safety, and community wellness, including:
- Tribal judges and appellate justices
- Court administrators, clerks, and court staff
- Tribal police officers, peacekeepers, command staff, and supervisors
- Prosecutors and presenting officers
- Defense counsel and public defenders
- Probation and compliance personnel
- Healing to Wellness personnel
- Victim advocates
- Behavioral health and crisis-response professionals
- Tribal leadership and governance representatives
- Juvenile justice and family services personnel
- Restorative justice practitioners
- Social-service providers
- Other professionals involved in Tribal justice system operations
Participation requirements may vary depending upon the individual course or training.
ABOUT US
The Tribal Court & Law Enforcement Institute (TCLEI) is a joint initiative of Indigenous Governance Consultants LLC (IGC) and Native Peacekeeper Consulting Group LLC (NPKCG). Together, the two Native-owned firms bring complementary experience from Tribal courts, law enforcement, public safety, Tribal governance, leadership, and justice system development.
TCLEI was developed around a fundamental principle: Tribal courts and Tribal law enforcement perform distinct and independent governmental functions, but both are essential components of an effective Tribal justice system. Strong justice systems require professionals to understand their own responsibilities while also understanding how decisions, practices, policies, communication, and professional standards affect the broader system.
Through Bench & Badge, IGC and NPKCG bring the perspectives of the bench and the badge into the same learning environment without blurring their respective roles.
Indigenous Governance Consultants LLC
Indigenous Governance Consultants LLC (IGC) is a Native woman-owned consulting firm founded by Carrie E. Garrow, J.D., M.P.P., and Danielle J. Mayberry, J.D., two experienced Indian Country professionals with firsthand knowledge of Tribal governments and Tribal judiciaries.
IGC works with Tribal Nations, courts, programs, and organizations to strengthen governance, justice systems, leadership, organizational capacity, and day-to-day operations. Its work includes Tribal court development and administration; governance and organizational development; leadership and workforce development; strategic and implementation planning; policy, procedure, code, and systems development; restorative justice and Healing to Wellness initiatives; organizational and program assessments; grant development and management; facilitation; training; and technical assistance.
IGC's experience extends beyond individual court processes. Its work includes coordination across Tribal, federal, and state systems and with courts, law enforcement, elected Tribal leadership, attorneys, educational institutions, health and human-service providers, nonprofit and community organizations, funding agencies, and interdisciplinary teams. This systems-level experience informs IGC's approach to Tribal justice: strong courts depend not only on sound law and procedure, but also on effective governance, ethical leadership, clear roles, professional accountability, communication, and sustainable operational systems.
Carrie E. Garrow, J.D., M.P.P., is an enrolled member of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and was raised in Akwesasne. She has more than 25 years of experience working with Tribal governments and Tribal courts. Carrie currently serves as an appellate judge and previously served as a Tribal chief judge.
For 25 years, Carrie has also worked as a consultant for the Tribal Law and Policy Institute, providing training and technical assistance to Tribal courts and Tribal Nations throughout Indian Country. Her experience includes Tribal court development, Tribal criminal law and procedure, code and policy development, governance, restorative justice, judicial education, and professional training.
Carrie previously served as a Visiting Assistant Professor and Executive Director of the Center for Indigenous Law, Governance & Citizenship at Syracuse University College of Law. She has developed and delivered numerous on-site trainings, conference presentations, and webinars and is co-author of Tribal Criminal Law and Procedure, Second Edition, with Sarah Deer.
Danielle J. Mayberry, J.D., is an enrolled member of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone and was raised in Battle Mountain, Nevada. She brings substantial firsthand experience in Tribal court operations, having spent nine years working within a Tribal court in administrative and legal capacities. Danielle also serves as a Tribal judge and is a member of the Board of Directors of the National American Indian Court Judges Association.
Danielle's experience includes court administration; legal research and writing; development of court forms, policies, procedures, and operational practices; Tribal code development; restorative justice and trauma-informed court practices; Healing to Wellness initiatives; grant development and implementation; and coordination with Tribal, state, and federal agencies and justice-system partners. She has also provided training to Tribal and state judicial officers and court personnel and has published articles and a book chapter addressing Tribal sovereignty, Tribal courts, and Indigenous rights.
Together, Carrie and Danielle have served as judges, attorneys, court administrators, principal law clerks, educators, consultants, organizational leaders, grant managers, facilitators, policy developers, and governmental advisors.
Within TCLEI, IGC brings this court, judicial, governance, and justice-system development perspective to Bench & Badge. Its experience encompasses not only what happens on the bench, but what is required to operate and strengthen Tribal court systems—from policies, procedures, case processes, and courtroom operations to judicial decision-making, ethics, leadership, intergovernmental relationships, and long-term system development.
Learn more about Indigenous Governance Consultants LLC:
https://www.indigenousgovernanceconsultants.com/
Native Peacekeeper Consulting Group LLC
Native Peacekeeper Consulting Group LLC (NPKCG) is a Seminole woman-owned consulting and training firm founded by Amy Osceola Latchford, Owner and CEO, and Dr. William R. Latchford, President.
NPKCG brings extensive experience in Tribal law enforcement, public safety, leadership development, organizational development, emergency management, strategic planning, assessments, and professional training.
Dr. William R. Latchford is the retired Chief of Police and Executive Director of Public Safety for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. His career provides extensive command-level experience in Tribal law enforcement, public safety administration, organizational leadership, officer development, and professional policing.
Within TCLEI, NPKCG brings the law enforcement, public safety, leadership, and operational perspective to Bench & Badge.
Learn more about Native Peacekeeper Consulting Group LLC:
https://npkcg.com/
One Institute — Complementary Experience
Together, IGC and NPKCG provide the complementary perspectives at the heart of Bench & Badge: professionals who understand what happens in the field, in the courtroom, and throughout the broader Tribal justice system.
By combining IGC's experience in Tribal courts, judicial systems, governance, policy, restorative justice, and organizational development with NPKCG's experience in Tribal law enforcement, public safety, leadership, and professional development, TCLEI provides participants with a broader understanding of how the individual components of a Tribal justice system affect one another.
The goal is not to erase the distinctions between the bench and the badge. It is to strengthen each while building the professional understanding, communication, accountability, and systems necessary for an effective Tribal justice system.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who is Bench & Badge designed for?
Bench & Badge is designed for Tribal judges, court personnel, Tribal law enforcement officers and leadership, prosecutors, defense counsel, probation personnel, Healing to Wellness personnel, victim advocates, behavioral health professionals, Tribal leadership, and other professionals involved in Tribal justice systems.
What makes Bench & Badge different from traditional training?
Bench & Badge intentionally incorporates both Tribal court and Tribal law enforcement perspectives. Participants strengthen their own professional skills while gaining greater understanding of the responsibilities and operational realities of other parts of the Tribal justice system. Training emphasizes practical application through scenarios, cross-role exercises, facilitated discussion, and problem-solving rather than relying exclusively on lecture-based instruction.
What topics are covered?
Topics may include Tribal justice system roles and responsibilities, judicial independence, judicial and law enforcement ethics, report writing, courtroom testimony, evidence, case flow, communication and coordination, leadership, courtroom management and safety, civil and criminal jurisdiction, protection orders, family and juvenile matters, crisis response, restorative justice, Healing to Wellness approaches, trauma-informed practices, community policing, and justice system improvement.
Is the training designed for a specific experience level?
No. IGC and NPKCG welcome seasoned and new tribal justice professionals. The training is designed to be applicable to different experience levels.
Is the training only about criminal justice?
No. Tribal courts and law enforcement interact in both criminal and civil matters. Depending upon the course, training may address protection orders, child welfare and family matters, juvenile proceedings, service of process, civil enforcement, courtroom safety, and other civil matters in addition to criminal justice issues.
How is training delivered?
Training will be offered through live in-person courses, multi-day intensive programs, virtual training, or customized on-site engagements. The flagship Bench & Badge model is designed primarily as an immersive two- to three-day on-site training. A Zoom option is not available for this training.
Will participants receive a certificate?
Participants who satisfy the applicable attendance requirements may receive a certificate documenting completion of the training and applicable training hours.
Is the venue accessible?
Yes, the venue is a modern building fully equipped with elevators providing smooth, step free access to all floors. For all accessibility needs, please note them on the registration form and IGC and NPKCG will address them.
Can Bench & Badge come to our Tribal Nation or agency?
Yes. IGC and NPKCG can provide customized on-site training designed around the needs, governance structure, justice system, and priorities of an individual Tribal Nation.
TUITION & REGISTRATION
Tuition: $995 per participant, paid at registration.
Early-Bird: enter code EARLYBIRD at checkout for $100 off ($895) on registrations completed by December 15, 2026.
Agency Rate: $850 per participant when three or more register from the same Tribe, court, or agency. Email [email protected] with the names of your participants to receive your agency code; each participant enters it at checkout. Codes cannot be combined.
Tuition includes all instruction, course materials, and the certificate of completion. Lodging, travel, and meals are the responsibility of the participant; lodging information is provided to registered participants.
Card processing fee: A 3.3% processing fee is added at checkout for credit and debit card payments. Tribes and agencies paying by check, purchase order, or ACH select that option at checkout and are invoiced at the flat rate with no processing fee.
Questions: Dr. William R. Latchford — [email protected] — (954) 444-0972
THE FINE PRINT
Registration
Registration is confirmed when payment is received. Space is limited to 30 participants, and registrations are accepted in the order received.
Cancellations & Transfers
Cancellations received in writing at [email protected] on or before January 8, 2027 receive a full refund. Cancellations received January 9 through January 22, 2027 receive a 50% refund. Cancellations received after January 22, 2027 and participant no-shows are nonrefundable.
A substitute participant from the same Tribal Nation, agency, or organization may attend in place of another participant at no additional charge. In those circumstances, email [email protected] or call (954) 444-0972 to notify NPKCG and IGC of the change in registration.
Course Changes
IGC and NPKCG reserve the right to modify course schedules, instructors, training formats, or course content when necessary. If a course must be cancelled or rescheduled, registered participants will be notified and provided with applicable refund, credit, or transfer options. Participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and related expenses unless otherwise expressly stated in the applicable course description.
Certificates
Certificates of completion are issued to participants who satisfy the attendance and participation requirements established for the course.
Training Materials & Intellectual Property
TCLEI training materials and resources are developed for the professional education of registered participants. Course materials may contain intellectual property belonging to IGC and/or NPKCG and/or individual instructors or contributors. Materials may not be reproduced, distributed, republished, sold, or used to provide separate training without appropriate written permission from the applicable rights holder.
Professional Learning Environment
IGC and NPKCG are committed to maintaining a respectful and professional learning environment that supports meaningful discussion among professionals serving in different roles within Tribal justice systems. Participants are expected to respect professional boundaries, differing perspectives, confidentiality where applicable, and the integrity of the learning environment. IGC and NPKCG reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to remove, ban, or terminate the participation of any participant whose behavior is deemed disruptive, inappropriate, or in violation of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s policies, regardless of intent and without a refund.
Educational Purpose
Training and course materials are provided for educational and professional-development purposes. Participation in this training does not constitute legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client, consultant-client, or other professional relationship with IGC, NPKCG or individual instructors.
Privacy
Registration information is used to administer training and communicate with participants regarding course-related matters and programming. Participant information will not be sold.
